37. Spain: Casa Barcelona

Casa Barcelona
2980 Bloor Street West
(at Royal York Road)
416 234 5858

You can either order several tapas dishes to share or a main course for yourself. Six of us choose to sample some of the dozens of tapas items from the extensive menu:
Salads: Barcelona salad - tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, extra virgin olive oil; mix salad - spring mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, $7 each.
Tapas: salmon marinado - marinated salmon, grilled peppers, asparagus with alioli sauce [pictured below]; sliced eggplant with goat cheese, organic mushrooms and piquillo pepper sauce; tournedo Rossini - beef tenderloin topped with duck foie & demi glace; grilled shrimps, Catalunian style; Canadian fresh lamb stew; my mother’s chicken and sausage croquettes - $9 each. And mini seafood paella - assorted seafood with saffron rice, $10.
Hubby wanted to try the shrimp paella as an individual main course - shrimps & vegetables in saffron rice, $29. I opted for a very different sounding desert - fig loaf - which is made with dried figs and almonds has a very firm texture and is quite delicious, $7
You write out your menu choices on paper and they arrive as they are ready so you've got a stream of plates being brought to your table. We ask for water and seven very tall glasses appear promptly. They were not overly busy on Saturday lunchtime and service was hospitable and relaxed. The patron greeted us, re-arranged tables for our party in the window and explained the menu. They offer steak-and-egg breakfast on Sunday mornings. Gratuity is added to the bill for parties of six or more. Seven lunches including tax and tip $145.00.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)